Captain's Letter no. 10

Dear Friends of SPRI,

HMS ENDURANCE Alongside in Simons Town Dockyard

HMS ENDURANCE spent the summer, the austral winter, in South Africa conducting our first ever foreign Fleet Time Support Period (FTSP) alongside the historic dockyard of Simons Town. This is the first time ENDURANCE has used another nation’s military yard for such extensive maintenance and it is the culmination of intense cooperation and hard work between the RN, the local community and the South African Navy.

HMS Endurance deploys to West Africa

Following a successful FTSP, HMS ENDURANCE undertook an important deployment to West Africa to highlight the effects of Climate Change and the importance of Maritime Security. In her capacity as a platform for world-class climate and ecological research and in conjunction with the British High Commission we hosted key climate change and maritime security seminars in South Africa, Ghana and Sierra Leone, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to supporting quality ecological research in region.

South African Sea Day

7 Aug 2008, in South Africa’s False Bay we hosted seminars on Climate Change and the Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) with South African dignitaries and policy makers onboard. With the South African Navy’s Flag Officer Fleet, a two star Admiral, onboard this was a high profile event with regional media interest. This was a very important event for the ship as it was the first of three in the region and we learned valuable lessons here before proceeding up the West African coast.

Endurance’s hangar transformed into a conference room for 50+ guests.

Ghana conferences

The visit of HMS ENDURANCE to Ghana (18-26 Aug) coincided with high-level talks on climate change under the auspices of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With Ghana’s focus on climate change and the RN’s expertise in maritime security we took this opportunity to host a dual conference covering both of these issues. The conferences thus provided a unique forum for interaction between Ghanaian government and non-government organizations and British subject matter experts. It also provided an opportunity for the Royal Navy to showcase its professionalism as it takes a leading role in supporting Ghanaian efforts to secure its maritime environment.

Delegates in discussion in Endurance’s Wardroom

Training the Ghanaian Navy

Whilst in Ghana ENDURANCE played an important role in training the Ghanaian Navy through a series of exercises at their naval base in Sekondi. Training exercises included Maritime Security, Good engineering practices, Fisheries Protection, Boarding, Search and Rescue and Customs procedures. The four days of training bestowed pride on the ship’s company, as they were able to use their unique mix of skills and expertise to support the Ghanaian Navy in developing the skills needed for Ghana’s bright maritime future.

Ghanaian sailors conducting boarding and winching operations

Bringing hope to Ghana’s orphans

HMS ENDURANCE has raised over £1300 for an Orphanage in Takoradi in Western Ghana. The money enabled the charity to start building a new kitchen. Over 30 of the Ship’s company worked for 2 days in physically demanding conditions, digging foundations and laying the concrete floors. In addition the local orphans were able to experience life onboard a Royal Navy Warship when they visited HMS ENDURANCE. This was a unique opportunity for both parties to experience each others' way of life.

The FA and the ship donated Portsmouth and England football strips to the orphans

Endurance in Freetown

The visit of HMS ENDURANCE to Sierra Leone (1-8 Sep) encompassed a number of roles for the ship including coastal surveying, training with the Sierra Leone Navy and ministerial sea days to promote the importance of fishery protection.

The highlight of the Sierra Leone visit and possibly the West African deployment was the Environmental Management Seminar in Freetown. The Vice President of Sierra Leone, the Hon Samuel Samsumana attended the event along with key UK intergovernmental representatives and Sierra Leone Government Ministers. HMS ENDURANCE played a vital role in promoting the issue of global climatic changes and the social and economic importance of environmental management in Sierra Leone.

HMS ENDURANCE in now in the Falklands after a 5000 mile transit from Sierra Leone. It is here we will undergo a small maintenance and training period to prepare the ship and its crew for the next austral summer in Antarctica.

The Sierra Leone Minister of Fisheries and the Captain posing before a fisheries surveillance flight (above)

The Vice President of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone High Commissioner listening attentively at the Environmental Conference (below)

Farewell

HMS ENDURANCE has just left Freetown - Sierra Leone, on the final visit of our West Africa work period. It has been an exciting time that has brought new experiences and achieved significant interaction with the host nations at all levels. Discussions have been stimulated at Ministerial level on Climate Change, Environmental Management, and Maritime Security; whilst the ship has also given training to the local Maritime Forces as well as hosting numerous visits by local school children. Our aim has been to provide a usable template for future visits by Royal Naval vessels to this region. This period has been a useful opportunity for ENDURANCE to prove her flexibility as a Fleet asset and deliver this new style of engagement.

We are proceeding south and beginning our preparations for the 08/09 season in our traditional stamping ground of the Northern Antarctic. Sadly, I will not be onboard to experience the ice again as I am to be relieved by Captain Gavin Pritchard at the end of October. I have really enjoyed my time onboard and my interaction with you all and in common with anyone who is privileged to visit the Antarctic I shall cherish my memories of its unique environment.

Gavin is an extremely experienced Commanding Officer, having previously commanded HMS KENT and ARGYLL in the Northern Arabian Gulf. He has a strong historical family connection with the age of Antarctic exploration. His Great Grandfather, Alexander Williams, was a Foreman Shipwright in Dundee who helped to build RRS Discovery. Gavin is very much looking forward to his role in HMS ENDURANCE and continuing the family connection to this remote region.

I understand that Adam Northover or Craig Hastings have already been in touch with some of you or will be in touch shortly in the coming weeks to organise an opportunity for Gavin to meet you. I know that he is keen to maintain and strengthen our links with your organisation as we come to the end of this extended deployment in May next year.

Thank you for your continued friendship and support over my time in Command and I wish you every success for the future.